Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International, said he was prepared to go to jail if the government does not ensure that manual scavenging is eradicated within three years.
He said adequate policy implementation is needed to protect the dignity of people who are forced to do such menial jobs since generations.
Bezwada Wilson, National Convener of Safai Karmachari Andolan, also said one cannot force anyone to clean human excreta against his/her wish.
"Atleast, we have started recognising this grave issue. People who are involved in such menial jobs are called by names. They are not given the human treatment, it destroys their self-respect and personality," he said.
"Government said that Indian Railways should be excluded from the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993. It is totally absurd as they are the largest offenders. Of 78,000 coaches in Rails, each coach has 4 toilets that aggravates the problem," Wilson said.
Usha Chowmar, an ex-manual scavenger from Alwar, is now living a dignified life after she was adopted by the NGO.
"I can speak English now, earlier I did not know it. After leaving the past turmoils where I was denied the basic necessities and was treated like an outcast, now I am happy in my new world where I earn my livelihood through better means," she said.
